violaki wrote:
My food budget as a grad student is $300-350/month. It would be less if I were really trying to save (or if I wasn't running and burning a ton of calories), and it would be more if I wasn't vegetarian. Let's say it evens out.
That's under $4 per meal assuming 3 meals a day. I challenge anyone to come up with even a vaguely balanced meal plan from eating out on that budget (you can't)
1 pound of 80/20 beef is $5 and 1,100 calories. 2 servings of cheese is $0.70 and 150 calories. 5 eggs is $1 and 350 calories. 4 servings of whole milk is $0.75 and 600 calories. Two bananas is $0.25 and 200 calories. Two oranges is $0.50 and 200 calories. 2 servings of pumpkin seeds is $0.80 and 400 calories.
That's 3000 calories and hits all your vitamins and minerals without any supplements.
It costs $9 per day and $270 per month to eat whole, real food with very little cook and prep time. You're welcome.